Strengths: Some good cleansers, cleansing cloths, and makeup removers; decent (but could be lots better) moisturizers, particularly for dry skin; every sunscreen includes the right UVA-protecting ingredients (though some products that contain sunscreen ingredients have no SPF rating, so they can't be trusted); the vitamin C and retinol capsules; mostly elegant yet functional packaging that keeps sensitive ingredients stable; the oil-blotting papers.

Weaknesses: Some products are expensive given what you get; the toners are average to poor; repetitive moisturizer formulas with differing claims; gimmicky eye patches; no AHA or BHA products; no skin-lightening options; no anti-acne products.

If you're not a Canadian cosmetics consumer you likely have no idea who Lise Watier is. We had no idea, either, despite having seen their products in drugstores and select department stores throughout Canada. Reader interest in this cosmetics line (only the skin care is reviewed on Beautypedia; the brand sells makeup, too) is what prompted us to finally stop and pay attention. Regrettably, this isn't a garden of roses; Lise Watier is a rather dull line with few positives and definitely nothing novel or exciting. In fact, this line's shortcomings are glaringly apparent.

The name and personality behind the line, Lise Watier, is definitely the most interesting facet of these products. Watier began her career in the 1960s by hosting Canadian television shows aimed at women. As she became more popular and recognized for her outspoken nature (and some would say feminist viewpoint), women started writing to her for advice on a wide variety of topics. Her desire to help women find their uniqueness led to her opening a namesake institute that offered women lessons on personal growth … and makeup. It was pop psychology mixed with pops of color. Now that's a unique way to begin a cosmetics line!

Without question, personal growth and personal appearance are linked together by self-esteem, and Watier enhanced this with personal style and makeup application. Given the success of her institute, it wasn't long before Watier launched her own makeup products, along with a message that coincided with the times, and that still resonates today—beauty without rules or limitations. Watier's Montreal-based business continues to thrive in Canada, and the line has expanded beyond color to offer a range of skin-care and fragrance products.

If you're looking to support Watier and her "movement," she offers some viable skin-care products, including some good cleansers, sunscreens, and moisturizers. What's troublesome is twofold: First, the claims for many of the products make false promises that relate more to fantasy than to personal growth (it's one thing to encourage self-confidence in a woman; it's another to send her down a rose garden path that's lined with bogus information and deceptive twists and turns). Second, there are also several omissions that make is impossible to assemble a complete skin-care routine. For example, you won't find gentle exfoliants, there are no products to lighten skin discolorations, and if you're dealing with acne or you need soothing products for rosacea, you're out of luck.

For more information about Lise Watier, call 1-800-592-8437, email at support@lisewatier.com, or visit www.lisewatier.com or the US website: www.lisewatier.us. Note: All prices for Lise Watier products are in Canadian dollars.

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